[GLOBAL HOST POPULATION: 965,926]
[LUIS MENDOZA - LEVEL 2 (33% Progress to Next Level)]
Luis stood in the empty spot where his scooter should have been, hands on his hips.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Zyx floated nearby, inspecting the ground like a detective. "Hmm, yes. The evidence suggests… someone stole your garbage scooter."
Luis shot him a glare. "That was my only ride!"
"Oh no," Zyx said, feigning horror. "However will we survive without your glorious mode of transportation?" He gestured dramatically at the road ahead. "I suppose we'll just have to… walk."
Luis sighed. "Fine. But we're avoiding main roads. More monsters, more Souls."
Zyx grinned. "Now that's the spirit! Murder and cardio!"
The journey was slow but productive. Luis cut down Rustfang Hares and Bramble Crawlers with ease, his Scrap Hammer feeling lighter with every swing.
"You know," Zyx mused as Luis crushed another Hare, "you could've just stolen a car."
"I'm not a thief," Luis grunted.
"Oh right, I forgot. You're a hero," Zyx said, rolling his eyes. "Meanwhile, the guy who stole your scooter is probably joyriding through the apocalypse."
Luis ignored him.
A few miles from his hometown, the trees thinned, revealing a massive bronze pillar covered in glowing runes.
Luis stopped, frowning. "What's that?"
Zyx's eyes lit up. "Oho! A Pillar of Challenge! Touch it, and it spawns a monster. Kill the monster, get a prize."
Luis hesitated. "Is it worth it?"
"Depends. Bronze pillar means the monster's probably Level 10 or lower. But it'll be twice as strong as wild mobs." Zyx smirked. "So… you scared?"
Luis exhaled. "If I die, you just get teleported back to heaven, huh?"
"Yep! Meanwhile, you get to be a stain on the ground. Win-win!"
Luis rolled his shoulders. "Screw it."
He touched the pillar.
The Guardian Awakens
A beam of light shot into the sky, visible for miles. The ground trembled as the pillar's runes flared—and then, from the earth itself, a massive humanoid figure rose.
[GUARDIAN OF THE BRONZE VAULT]
Level 9
Health: 150% of standard Iron-class
Abilities: Earthshock Stomp, Reinforced Body, Crushing Blow
The golem's hollow eyes locked onto Luis.
"Well," Zyx said. "This should be fun."
The Battle
Phase 1: Testing the Waters
Luis darted in, hammer swinging—CLANG. The blow barely dented the golem's bronze hide. It retaliated with a fist the size of a boulder, forcing Luis to roll aside.
"Okay," he panted. "Harder than I thought."
Phase 2: Misfortune's Touch
Luis activated his debuff.
[DEBUFF ROLL: DAMAGE VULNERABILITY (68%)]
The golem's next stomp slipped, its foot sinking into the ground. Luis seized the opening, hammer crashing into its knee joint. Metal buckled.
The golem roared, its fists glowing red-hot. Luis barely dodged a Crushing Blow that left a crater where he'd stood.
"Zyx! Ideas?!"
"Hit it harder!"
"Gee, thanks!"
Luis waited for the golem to lunge again—then slammed his hammer into its chest, triggering Hammer Modem's stagger chance. The golem reeled, its core exposed.
Phase 3: Final Blow
With a yell, Luis jumped, putting all his weight into a downward strike. The hammer caved in the golem's core, and the creature exploded into shards of bronze.
[GUARDIAN DEFEATED]
[+10,000 SOUL ESSENCE]
[LEVEL UP: 3]
[+1% TO ALL STATS]
[BOOTS OF THE IRON GUARDIAN ACQUIRED]
The Reward
The boots were sturdy, bronze-trimmed, and hummed with power when Luis slipped them on.
[BOOTS OF THE IRON GUARDIAN]
+10% Defense
+10% Damage
+10% Attack Speed
Special Skill: Guardian's Leap (Jump height +30%)
Zyx whistled. "Not bad. Still not as cool as murder, but hey."
Luis ignored him, flexing his legs. The boots felt weightless, like they were made for him.
"Now," he said, grinning. "Let's go home."